(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Tuesday 7 December solidified diplomatic relations with Germany through the accreditation of a new Ambassador, His Excellency Stefan Schlüter, at the Georgetown, Guyana Headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat.

In his remarks, His Excellency Sir Edwin Carrington, CARICOM Secretary-General said Ambassador Schlüter’s accreditation bode well, coming as it did against the backdrop of the Forum on Donor Coordination and Aid Effectiveness that was held at the CARICOM Secretariat, 6-7 December.

Describing Germany as a “steadfast and trusted development partner of CARICOM,” Sir Edwin said that the country had supported the Community’s efforts in a number of areas ranging from combating the scourge of the HIV/AIDS virus to its environmental sustainability efforts.

He referred to the recent agreement between the CARICOM Secretariat and the agency for German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) on a concept of a new CARICOM-GTZ Project titled: “Improving the management of coastal resources and the conservation of the marine biodiversity in the Caribbean Region” that will address some of the main threats posed by climate change to coastal and marine environments, as well as to coastal communities. The Community was looking forward to the finalisation of the project, the Secretary-General said.

Sir Edwin noted that Germany’s goodwill towards CARICOM was “well reflected” in the quality of its ambassadorial representation to the Community. Given Ambassador Schlüter’s “sterling credentials,” he said that the Region can be assured that CARICOM-German relations will continue on its “very positive” course.

The CARICOM Secretary-General took the opportunity to commend the work of former German Ambassador to CARICOM, His Excellency Dr. Ernst Martens, whom Sir Edwin said, “displayed great enthusiasm for strengthening relations between Germany and CARICOM and demonstrated a keen interest in the development and progress of CARICOM during his tour of duty.”

Ambassador Schlüter, his country’s third Ambassador to CARICOM, in his remarks noted his pleasure with what he described as the “last possibility” to be able to present his letter of credence to Sir Edwin before he demits office as Secretary-General of CARICOM on December 31.

The newly accredited Ambassador added that Germany’s pursuit of closer cooperation with CARICOM which was “well connected” with Sir Edwin Carrington’s name over the past 18 years, was more than symbolic.

He said that Germany was interested in fostering close cooperation with CARICOM as regional integration was “the only adequate answer” in the face of political and economic challenges associated with globalization. He said the European Union, of which Germany is a member, and CARICOM faced similar challenges particularly with regard to issues related to forging a Single Market and Economy.

The Ambassador added that he was aware of the difficulty posed to newly independent states with respect to ceding sovereignty to an entity which they may not trust. The challenge, he said, was to gain the trust of the Member States. In that regard, he stressed the importance of “selling the public the advantages of integration.”

CONTACT: piu@caricom.org